EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
Council led the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 7:03 p.m., on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, in the Program Room, Exeter Public Library, 773 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.
Roll Call: Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Also Present: Kenneth Sylvia, Esq., Associate, Town Solicitor
Lynn M. Hawkins, Town Clerk
Kenneth G. Findlay, Council Assistant
A. RHODE ISLAND PRIMARY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024: VOTING
WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M. AT ST. KATERI
TEKAKWITHA, 84 EXETER ROAD, EXETER, AND METCALF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 30 NOOSENECK HILL ROAD, EXETER; VOTERS WHO ORDINARILY VOTE AT EXETER CHAPEL WILL VOTE AT METCALF SCHOOL;
UNREGISTERED VOTERS WILL VOTE AT THE EXETER CLERK’S OFFICE,
675 TEN ROD ROAD, EXETER, FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M., LIMITED BALLOT;
VOTERS WHO WISH TO VOTE EARLY CAN DO SO AT THE EXETER CLERK’S OFFICE, 675 TEN ROD ROAD, EXETER, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M., BEGINNING AUGUST 21 AND ENDING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9;
MAIL BALLOT APPLICATIONS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED; THE DEADLINE WAS TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2024; THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE RHODE ISLAND PRIMARY WAS SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2024:
The Public was urged to vote.
B. TRANSFER STATION PERMITS EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 30; NEW PERMITS
FOR PERMIT PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 2024, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE, VIA MAIL,
DROP BOX, OR ONLINE; SEE TOWN WEBSITE FOR DETAILS: The Public was
reminded to renew their permits.
C. 9/11 REMEMBERANCE CERMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE WALL OF
HONOR, RHODE ISLAND VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY, EXETER,
RHODE ISLAND, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024, 9:00 A.M.: The Public was
urged to attend.
D. PINE VIEW APARTMENTS: There has been an ongoing water contamination issue with the public well. Senator Morgan was contacted by a resident. Neither the Department
of Health nor management is answering calls. Mr. Patterson spoke to an attorney at the State House who is looking into the matter.
E. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024: Council will hold this meeting to review the Access to Public Records Act public records requests process.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the Agenda Order as presented; seconded
by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL: None
B. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 2 and 3.
C. BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:
1. BILL SHEET: September 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024
2. TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS:
One Abatement Totaling $4,375.39
(See Town Clerk for List)
3. TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
4. TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES: None
None of the above were removed.
1. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, AUGUST 5, 2024
2. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, EXECUTIVE SESSION,
AUGUST 5, 2024
Ms. DeFrancesco was absent from the August 5 meeting.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve the Consent Agenda as amended;
seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve August 5, 2024, Regular and Executive
Session Council Meeting Minutes; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted as follows:
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco Abstain
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Motion passes.
A. VACANCIES:
1. PERSONNEL BOARD (5 MEMBERS NEEDED): Letters of Interest are being accepted. Those received are being held. Once five are received, this Board will be
activated. These vacancies will continue to post.
2. CONSERVATION COMMISSION (1 MEMBER NEEDED): This Commission
must have seven members in order to be activated. Six Letters of Interest have been received and are being held. One more person interested in serving is needed. Letters of interest are being accepted. This vacancy will continue to post.
B. RESIGNATIONS: None
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. EXETER RURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRUST COMMITTEE MEMBERS (TWO NEEDED) (TO SERVE FOUR-YEAR TERM BEGINNING DATE OF APPOINTMENT): No Letters of Interest have been received. This vacancy will
continue to post.
2. JUVENILE HEARING BOARD ALTERNATE MEMBER (TO SERVE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING NOVEMBER 6, 2026): No Letters of Interest have been received. This vacancy will continue to post.
3. TAX BOARD OF REVIEW ALTERNATE MEMBER (TO SERVE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING AUGUST 2, 2024): No Letters of Interest have been received. This
vacancy will continue to post.
4. PUBLIC WORKS WORKERS: Two candidates, Aiden Pina and Aidan Robinson,
have been interviewed and are recommended by Director of Public Works Robert Shappy.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to hire Aiden Pina and Aidan Robinson; seconded by
Ms. Allen.
Discussion: Both individuals are 18 years of age. Neither is afraid to work or get dirty.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
5. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER: There were two letters of interest. Both withdrew, citing that the job was not for them. This vacancy will continue to post.
D. EXPIRING TERMS: None
Asa Davis: 1) If Council declines the $800,000.00 community facilities grant that is intended
to be used to purchase the new building at 742 Ten Rod Road, the taxpayers will pay for the building; 2) Maybe Exeter should purchase Camp Canonicus; 3) The end of Stony Lane is defective. It does not meet town standard. A gate there blocks hundreds of feet of public road. Several town officials have been complicit in creating this; 4) Ms. DeFrancesco’s claims in her email, read into the record last month, were not true to actual events; 5) Last month,
Mr. Ellis questioned Mr. Davis’ June 3 dog comments, but ignored his other more serious comments; and 6) Mr. Lefebvre referred to Mr. Davis as a bully at a recent meeting. A bully
is someone who uses aggression and deliberately directs it towards a vulnerable target. If
Mr. Davis was bullying, who was vulnerable? Mr. Lefebvre? Speaking at a public meeting
is a constitutional right.
Calvin Ellis: The Town Clerk provided Council with copies of their by-laws to remind them
of meeting procedures. She included Section 119, Decorum, which states “Any person making personal and pertinent or slanderous remarks…while addressing the Council shall forthwith by the presiding officer be barred from further audience before the Council at that meeting, unless permission to continue be granted by a majority vote of the Town Council.”
Michael Lefebvre: Agreed with Mr. Ellis’ comments.
Paul Pisano: The problems of heavy traffic still exist on Mail Road. He was woken up by a huge truck at 6:00 this morning. He hopes Council will do something about this problem and would appreciate it.
Amanda Sanford: Public Works was recently paving in front of her house. They pulled her basketball hoop, that has been there for years out of the ground, broke it, and left it. She requests to be compensated $300.00 for the basketball hoop and that the old one be removed.
A. MOTION TO RESCIND AND TO RETALLY VOTE TAKEN ON JUNE 17, 2024,
AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL ACCEPTING MULTI-
PURPOSE COMMUNITY FACILITIES MATCHING GRANT, SUBAWARD
AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND ACTING
BY AND THROUGH ITS PANDEMIC RECOVERY OFFICE (“STATE AGENCY”)
AND THE TOWN OF EXETER:
Mr. Patterson: The State has repeatedly introduced new stipulations and requirements since the Town applied. It now wants the Town to change its resolution, passed at the June 13, 2023, Financial Town Meeting, to reflect that the Town bought 742 Ten Rod Road as a community facility and not a town hall. If the resolution can be changed, a Special Financial Town Meeting would have to be called. Other stipulations are also impossible to meet. Expenses will be paid out of pocket. For five years, the State would have control of the new building.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to rescind and retally vote taken on June 17, 2024,
at the Special Meeting of the Town Council; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre.
Discussion:
Mr. Lefebvre: It is his understanding that the State will have control over the new building
and will occupy the big room and three small rooms. That is a deal breaker for him. The State has lost cities and towns who have dropped out for the same reasons. However, after talking
to the Town Treasurer, she believes the State will accept pods in place of the three small rooms. $800,000 is a lot of money and he does not want to just let it go. The State has to give the money. They are not looking to make it difficult for us. They are looking to work with us.
If there are differences, perhaps they could be worked out. The Town Treasurer and Social Services Director want to manage the money.
Ms. DeFrancesco: Attended a meeting with the State, there are conditions the Town has to meet. The State does not control the building. They might require three programs a month, three hours a month, for five years. That is not a huge deal. It is doable. There may be a learning curve. $800,000 for the Town is a lot of money. If we fail to meet the requirements, we give the money back, no penalty. “Why wouldn’t we try to do that?” People are fighting so hard not to take the money. Taxes will have to pay for renovations. The Social Services Director is fully on board to run the programs. It would be foolish for the Town not to accept the grant.
Discussion ensued: The grant does not pay for renovations, salaries, trainers, mailings, fliers.
The State is not trying to trip up the Town. It wants the Town to move forward and succeed.
If the resolution is not changed, the Town may not be granted the grant. There is a report due
on October 31, 2024, Capital Project Scope, Schedule of Work, Project Timeline. To complete this report, the Town would have to hire an architect and pay for construction and renovation costs to the State’s satisfaction. All the information has not been provided up front. It comes
in bits and pieces.
Mr. Lefebvre: Suggested inviting the State to Council’s next meeting to clear up the confusion.
Mr. Ellis: Suggested putting in writing to the State that if the resolution can be changed, a special financial town meeting will need to be called. The Social Services Director is definitely willing to try to make this work and work with the Treasurer. She thinks it can be done. If Council finds there are too many loose ends, it is over. He is not in favor of having a meeting
to change the resolution. He is favor of inviting the State to Council’s meeting next month.
Mr. Patterson: He and Mr. Findlay are moving ahead on the renovations needed at the new building based on the Town’s needs. These will be paid with American Pandemic Recovery Funds.
Back to the Motion: Voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Michael A. Lefebvre No
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco No
Calvin A. Ellis No
The motion from June 17, 2024, carries.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to consider this again next month and invite the State
to Council’s October meeting; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in
the affirmative.
This agenda item will carry to Council’s meeting next month.
B. COMMUNITY FACILITIES GRANT: REQUESTS BY OFFICE OF PANDEMIC
RECOVERY: 1) SOLICITOR’S OPINION REGARDING PURCHASE OF 742 TEN ROD ROAD AND 2) REVISION TO JUNE 13, 2023, FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING,
RESOLUTION NO. 37, NEW TOWN HALL FACILITY: Based on the above,
this agenda item will carry to Council’s meeting next month.
C. CONSIDERATION OF AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TO GRANT THE
POWER TO CONDUCT ZONING INSPECTIONS WITHIN THE TOWN AND FULFILL THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ZONING INSPECTORS AS SET FORTH
IN STATE LAW TO ONE OR MORE OTHER INDIVIDUALS TEMPORARIY
WHILE THE ELECTED ZONING INSPECTOR IS INCAPACITATED: The Town’s Zoning Inspector has suffered a serious injury. Someone is needed to act as Zoning Inspector
in his absence. Mr. Patterson introduced and read the ordinance into the record. The ordinance
allows Council to hire someone temporarily while the Zoning Inspector is incapacitated.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt Emergency Ordinance as presented; seconded
by Ms. DeFrancesco.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to open Public Hearing; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco;
voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Asa Davis inquired whether there is an anticipated date when the Zoning Inspector will resume his duties? Council answered in the negative. Mr. Davis inquired whether the position(s) of Acting Zoning Inspector have to be posted? Council answered in the negative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Back to the Motion: Not voted.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to approve the Emergency Ordinance to grant the power to conduct zoning inspections for the Town and to fulfill the responsibilities of the Zoning Inspector as set forth in State law to one or more other individuals temporarily while the elected Zoning Inspector is incapacitated; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. IT DEPARTMENT: REQUEST TO USE ARPA FUNDS: NEW WEBSITE:
IT Director James Angi has submitted pricing to Council. $50,000.00 of the American
Rescue Pandemic Funds were set aside by Council for a new website.
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to grant the IT Director’s request to use American Rescue Pandemic Funds for the specific job of a new website; seconded by Ms. Allen;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A new website will provide more accessibility and information.
E. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL:
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN TOWNS OF EXETER AND WEST GREENWICH, MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PROJECT: Director of Emergency Management Dori Boardman thanked Mr. Ellis
and Mr. Findlay for helping to bring the memorandum of agreement to Council. The
consultants for the project are to be paid in advance. West Greenwich will pay their
share to the Town in advance.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Towns of Exeter and West Greenwich, Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Project: seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
F. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL:
TOWN OF EXETER 2024 ELECTION INCIDENT ACTION PLAN: Director of
Emergency Management Dori Boardman was directed by Council to develop the plan
and presents it to Council. She worked with the Board of Canvassers and State Elections
to develop it.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve Town of Exeter 2024 Election Incident Action Plan; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: Ms. Boardman is given the authority to make modifications as elections move forward.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
G. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL:
DIRECTOR’S FY2025 TRAINING AND CONFERENCE TRAVEL BUDGET: Director of Emergency Management Dori Boardman finds training invaluable to the Town, especially
for networking. Mr. Patterson suggested that Project Management Certificate at Bryant University ($3000.00, not required) and National Hurricane Conference ($2500.00, not every year) be removed. The travel will be paid out of the Emergency Management budget.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve travel budget request of the Emergency Management Director; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: Mr. Ellis: The training enables Ms. Boardman to learn and to grow.
Ms. Allen: If the funds are used for travel, what happens if there is an emergency?
Mr. Lefebvre: If there is an emergency, Ms. Boardman will be prepared through
the training, which is important.
Back to the Motion: Amended as follows:
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to fund the Emergency Management Travel Budget
for Fiscal Year 2025 $5,500.00; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco No
Calvin A. Ellis No
Motion passes.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to approve $5,500.00 for the Emergency Management Department’s 2025 Training and Conference Travel Budget; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
H. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT: REQUEST FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT: There is $5000.00 in the budget for an
Emergency Management Assistant. Director of Emergency Management Dori Boardman
requests that that be increased to between $10,000.00 and $15,000.00 and that it be funded
from the discrepancy fund or allow the budget to go over. This will be proposed in next
year’s budget.
I. TOWN SERGEANT: REQUEST FOR INCREASE: DETAIL RATES: Details
are paid by vendors who request the service not by taxpayer money. Currently, the rate is
$50.00 per hour. Town Sergeant Scote Miller is asking that the rate be increased to $55.00
per hour. Narragansett’s and Charleston’s rates are $60.00 per hour. Coventry’s is $62.00
per hour. If details are available in other towns, Mr. Miller’s detail workers will take those
before they take Exeter’s.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve the increase in detail rates as requested;
seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: Mr. Patterson noted that Mr. Miller often does detail work at no charge.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
J. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL SIGNAGE AT TOWN PROPERTIES: There have
been illicit activities and persons living on Town properties day and night. Director of Public Works Rob Shappy requests putting up signs on all Town properties, “Dusk to Dawn, No Trespassing.” Signs will support the Town if the State Police need to be called.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to install “No Trespassing, Dusk to Dawn” signs on all
Town properties; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
K. REQUEST OF PETER POSK ON BEHALF OF TIM SCHARTNER/RI GROWS
FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT REQUIRED FOR GRANT THROUGH QUONSET
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (“QDC”):
Mr. Posk, Chief Executive Officer, RI Grows: RI Grows is applying for a State grant, RI Ready, through QDC, which supports new businesses. It will help to complete the project. One of the requirements is a letter of support from the Town or a letter from the Town indicating the Town does not object to the project.
Ms. DeFrancesco queried: The letter would indicate that the Town does not object to industrial development? But Schartner’s is a farm and cannot be taxed industrial. RI Grows has been rude and condescending and has not followed the protocols in place for everyone else. The Town has “bent over backwards” and now RI Grows is asking for more. She will vote no to send a letter.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to send a letter indicating that the Town does not oppose
the RI Grows project; seconded by Mr. Patterson.
Discussion: Mr. Patterson did not wish to get into a debate over the project. RI Grows has preliminary approval from the Planning Board. The three lots that the project sits on will have
to be merged, the State Fire Marshal will have to be satisfied, and many other conditions met before final approval by the Planning Board. Mr. Ellis will vote no because he considers the letter far more than just perfunctory. Mr. Lefebvre knows RI Grows did not do what they
should have at the beginning; but from what he understands, they are following the process now.
Back to the Motion: Voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco No
Calvin A. Ellis No
Motion passes.
The letter will reflect that the vote was not unanimous.
L. MAIL ROAD TRAFFIC: APPLICANT-FUNDED DETAILS AND SIGNAGE:
Residents at Deerbrook have made several complaints relative to trucks traveling Mail Road
due to a construction project and request Council to take action and to put up signs, “No
Through Trucking.” Town Sergeant Scote Miller reported that the trucks are carrying heavy loads, are loud, but are not speeding, and sometimes operate before and after the hours in the noise ordinance. Mr. Ellis suggested a letter that the applicant needs to address the issues and post signs. Ms. DeFrancesco suggested that the applicant hire a detail to regulate the trucks.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis that the Clerk send a letter in accordance with tonight’s discussion; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
M. MAIL ROAD TRAFFIC: REQUEST FOR STATE POLICE ENFORCEMENT
OF HOURS OF OPERATION AND SPEED LIMIT: Mr. Ellis suggested that Mr. Patterson contact the State Police to request that they monitor and take action if they find the trucks are not in compliance with the Town’s noise ordinance.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to direct Mr. Patterson to contact the State Police regarding; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
N. IRS CASES 2023-0794 TO -0797: Asa Davis has indicated that these cases exist and concern Mr. Ellis. Not knowing anything about these cases, Mr. Ellis contacted his accountant
to investigate this for him. She found that the IRS whistleblower office, in 2023, had 14,872 cases initiated, only 8% of those were investigated, and the rest were closed. Having done his tax returns for several years, Mr. Ellis’ accountant could not imagine what the IRS would be investigating as it concerns him. Mr. Ellis considers this Mr. Davis’ continuing attempt at his
ongoing character assignation of Town officials.
A. TOWN OF EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS:
ARTICLE 14, BUILDING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS; ARTICLE II, BUILDINGS; DIVISION 2, PERMIT FEES; SECTION 14-51, SCHEDULE OF FEES:
Mr. Findlay is working with Building Inspector Ron DeFrancesco to revise the ordinance
and present the proposed amendments to Council.
B. SHARON MACLEAN: WOOD RIVER WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL: DUTEMPLE BROOK TRAIL PROJECT:
Mr. Findlay reported that there has not been a Library Board of Trustees meeting to
discuss this request with Ms. MacLean and that Ms. MacLean has not contacted the
Town Planner as directed by Council. Ms. MacLean was not present.
C. TOWN TREASURER: REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION: COMPENSATION
TO BOARD OF CANVASSERS MEMBERS FOR TRAININGS: Council had approved
$150.00 per training to the Canvassers. Some trainings can be an hour. Some can be all day. Town Treasurer Maria Lawler reached out to other cities and towns. Most trainings are included in the Canvassers’ salaries or stipends. If Council wishes to compensate the Canvassers for hours above their normal hours, Ms. Lawler suggested that they be paid the clerical rate per hour.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to pay the Canvassers their clerical rate per hour for hours
over their normal for training only; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
This agenda item will be removed.
D. STATUS: UPDATE TO TOWN OF EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES;
CHAPTER 14, BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS; ARTICLE IV,
IMPACT FEES: Mr. Findlay introduced a draft of proposed amendments, addressing
the moratorium and industrial fees.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to present the proposed amendments at Public Hearing at next month’s regular meeting; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
E. STATUS: WELCOME SIGNAGE IN AND OUT OF TOWN: Mr. Findlay
did not have an update.
F. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:
1. REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE: INCIDENT AT 5 WEST SHORE DRIVE:
Director of Public Works Rob Shappy reported that this project has been completed.
This agenda item will be removed.
2. DAMAGE TO TOWN PROPERTY: MAIL ROAD: The Town sent a letter
to the company whose truck damaged the road. A response has been received admitting
the damage and indicating that the road will be fixed.
G. STATUS: RI250 COMMISSION: EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION: The Committee will have a display at the Friends of the Exeter
Library Fall Festival in September.
H. STATUS: TOWN BUILDING USES AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS:
1. 675 TEN ROD ROAD:
a. REQUEST TO USE APRA FUNDS: ADDITION, EXETER CLERK’S OFFICE,
NEW OFFICE: The Building/Planning/Zoning Clerk and Social Services share an office. Noise, privacy, and room are in issue. The Clerk suggests building an office in front of the
vault wall on the right side of the building. Social Services can move to her office, gaining
her privacy, the Clerk can move to the new office, and the Building/Planning/Zoning will
gain room. Discussion ensued. The move to the new building could be a few years. An
addition would solve several problems in the meantime. Social Services Director Jessica DeMartino thought she was moving to the new building. She would rather have an office
built for her at the Library. Council had voted that no one could move to the new building
until Council gave them directive.
b. STATUS – ROOF REPLACEMENT: Council had awarded the bid to RTP Roofing.
The work will be done between September 23 and October 18.
2. 742 TEN ROD ROAD – STATUS: Mr. Findlay reported that he and Mr. Patterson met with Azzinaro Architects, who had provided plans when the Town contemplated buying the
property in 2014. He has provided a new proposal. He has done much of the work already. This will save the Town money. Mr. Findlay will talk with the Town Solicitor on how to proceed. He will be paid with American Rescue Pandemic Recovery. Council will have
to build a budget for construction costs.
No. 2 08/01/2024 Asa Davis: Davis v. Town of Exeter (APRA 7-16-24); attachments:
Solar Permit, Impact fee APRA request, and August 5, 2024, Town
Council Agenda
No. 3 08/01/2024 Asa Davis: APRA Requests
Mr. Ellis requested that these communications be put aside until Council meets on September 23, 2024, for a Special Meeting.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to take a five-minute recess; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco No
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Motion passes.
Council entered into Recess at 9:25 p.m., reconvened in Open Session at 9:35 p.m.,
and entered into Executive Session.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to enter into Executive Session to discuss Agenda
Item 12.A.1 and 2, RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1), Job Performance, Director of Social Services
and Zoning Inspector, and Agenda Item 12.B., RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2), Status, Litigation Strategy, Town of Exeter v. Arthur Brayman, et al ; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and
voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into Executive Session at 9:35 p.m., adjourned Executive Session
at 10:07 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to seal the minutes of and affirm votes
taken in Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adjourn the meeting; seconded by
Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council is scheduled for Monday,
October 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC
Exeter Town Clerk
Approved: October 7, 2024